Taxable retail sales in Kitsap County topped $1 billion for
the first time in the third quarter of 2015.

The $1.01 billion in sales reported from July through
September marked a 9 percent increase from the same period of 2014,
according to the
Department of Revenue.

Retail trade sales were also up about 9 percent in the third
quarter, with $524 million reported. Retail trade sales are
sales made by dealerships, stores, online sellers and other
traditional retailers.

These were some third quarter highlights:

Sales by new and used auto dealerships were up
19 percent

Sales of building materials were up 8.6
percent

Sales by general merchandise stores were
up 6 percent

Construction was up 9.25 percent

Wholesale trade was up 11.4 percent

Information was up 10.5 percent

Accommodations and food services up 8.9
percent

Kitsap’s growth in retail trade sales set the pace for
Puget Sound counties in the third quarter:

With the fourth quarter numbers in the books, we can see how
2014 stacked up against previous retail years. While retail trade
sales have rebounded from the recession, other industries are still
catching up: